Ex-Scandal Star Columbus Short Pleads Not Guilty to Battery

Former Scandal star Columbus Short has pleaded not guilty to felony battery for a fight that seriously injured a man at a West Hollywood restaurant earlier this year.

Short, 31, appeared in court Wednesday for a brief arraignment hearing on the case filed after he was accused of punching a man at the restaurant in March.

The actor's attorney Jeff Jacquet had sought to fast-track the case, but Deputy District Attorney David Schorr said the injuries involved were too serious to qualify. He said Short is accused of cold-cocking a man, knocking him unconscious and fracturing his left eye socket.

Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz said based on the injuries the case wasn't eligible for the so-called early disposition program, which could have settled the case before a preliminary hearing in which more details about the altercation would be disclosed.

Short was ordered to return to court on June 5 to set a date for the preliminary hearing.

The case is one of several involving Short and allegations of violence. He faces a misdemeanor spousal battery case and his estranged wife has a temporary restraining order against him. Tanee Short claims her husband threatened her with a knife during a fight in April.

She filed for divorce after the incident, and a hearing on the restraining order is scheduled for May 21.

Jacquet has said Short will contest the restraining order and it will require a lengthy evidentiary hearing.

Short announced last month that he wasn't returning to the hit series Scandal for its fourth season.